Clover Sonoma’s Dairy Methane Action Plan
At Clover Sonoma, sustainability has always been central to who we are. After joining the Dairy Methane Action Alliance, we committed to publishing our methane emissions each year and taking clear, science based steps to reduce them. Our new Dairy Methane Action Plan outlines how we are working with our family farms to meaningfully cut emissions while continuing to produce delicious, nutritious dairy.
Why Methane Reduction Matters
Methane (CH₄) is a potent greenhouse gas and accounts for about 40% of our total Scope 3 emissions (Indirect Value Chain Emissions). On dairy farms, methane primarily comes from two sources: enteric fermentation, the natural digestive process in cows that produces methane as microbes break down feed, and manure management.
Our goal at Clover Sonoma is to reduce methane emissions intensity by 10% by 2027, from a baseline of 2023. Methane intensity measures how much methane is emitted per unit of milk produced. By focusing on efficiency, we can lower emissions while continuing to support productive, healthy herds. A 10% reduction from our current baseline would prevent approximately 350 metric tons of methane from entering the atmosphere each year, the equivalent of preventing 24,956,284 miles driven by an average gasoline car annually.
To strengthen the accuracy of our reporting, we are transitioning to a US-based methane measurement and accounting tool. This updated methodology will improve data precision and may result in adjustments to our reported emissions. We are committed to transparency and will publish updated figures once the new data has been fully validated.
Clover Sonoma’s Strategies for Reducing Methane
Our plan focuses on three areas that offer the greatest impact: improving dairy productivity, reducing enteric emissions, and enhancing manure management.
Improving dairy productivity means investing in cow health and nutrition, expanding access to nutritionists and consultants, and helping farms adopt best management practices. We continue to strive for healthier, well-maintained cows that produce milk with a lower methane footprint.
Reducing enteric emissions builds on the trials we have already conducted with seaweed based and essential oil feed additives. We are always looking for new innovations that show promise in lowering methane produced during digestion, and we will continue testing additional options to ensure they are effective, safe, and viable long-term on family farms.
Enhancing manure management involves supporting farmers in adopting tools like mechanical manure separators, aeration systems for manure ponds, and methane digesters. These technologies help limit methane formation while improving nutrient management and soil health. We are also helping farms pursue grants and funding to make these improvements more accessible. To see these systems in action, watch our Renati Dairy video highlighting how manure management innovation is working on our partner farms.
Public Policy and Industry Collaboration
Reducing methane is both an environmental priority and a business strategy. Climate-related risks, from extreme weather to evolving regulations, directly impact dairy, so our methane plan helps build resilience while preparing for a lower-carbon future. We believe promoting climate research, dairy sustainability, and appropriate public policy supports our mission to reduce dairy methane.
Clover Sonoma engages in industry collaboration and advocacy to accelerate progress beyond our partner family farms. We advocate for continued funding of California’s Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP), recognizing its critical role in helping dairy farms reduce methane emissions through practical, on-farm solutions.
We also work closely with industry organizations to advance science-based, scalable strategies, including active participation with the International Dairy Foods Association, the Dairy Institute of California, and leadership involvement with Dairy Cares.
In addition, we engage in sustainability-focused events such as the California Dairy Sustainability Summit, San Francisco Climate Week, and the CalCAN Summit. Our participation in these platforms is intended to highlight methane-reduction wins while underscoring the key needs and challenges dairy producers face in advancing their climate goals.
Looking Ahead
Reducing methane requires collaboration, investment, and ongoing innovation. We are committed to supporting our family farms through this transition, sharing progress each year, and continually exploring new solutions. Our long term goal is a 30% reduction in emissions intensity by 2035, and the work we are doing today lays the foundation for that future.
With each step, we remain guided by the values that have defined Clover Sonoma for generations: care for our animals, respect for our farmers, and stewardship of the land we all share.
Email us anytime at connect@cloversonoma.com with any questions or feedback.